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Two routes lead to my house, and for reasons I cannot remember, I follow one route when going out and follow the other when returning home. (I guess it’s just a weird habit) Recently, a motorcyclist tried taking my ‘out-route’ on my way home, and somehow my brain revolted. I insisted that he passed through the ‘in-route’ instead. He didn’t get why I had to insist; both routes led to the same house anyway. What he didn’t understand was that it had become a routine for me – my claim to sameness.

When I got down from the bike and started off towards my front door, it occurred to me that the kids I work with also craved the same thing I insisted on. The only difference was that I could communicate my own need for routine, but they couldn’t.

We cannot deny the fact that individuals with autism are different – in behaviour, social skill, and definitely communication skills. But are they less humans because they are different?

Usually they have similar needs like us, but challenges of the disorder have served as limitations to getting their needs met. My desire for routine is definitely similar to the desire for routine by a child on the autism spectrum. Just like every other individual, children with autism are seeking for love, acceptance, and a right to be themselves.

They want you to see beyond the disorder and see them as individuals.

They want you to be patient with them as they learn to manage the limitations and challenges they are faced with.

They want to love you and be loved in return.

Will you at least try?

Written by Adelola Edema, tweets at @pdelols

Kindly support The Autism Support Circle Initiative (TASCI) by showing some love to the autistic child you know and educating the public around you on his/her need for social acceptance. Do follow the Twitter handle @theautism_sci

About shakespeareanwalter

Walt Shakes(@Walt_Shakes) is an award-winning Nigerian writer, poet and veteran blogger. He is a lover of the written word. the faint whiff of nature, the flashing vista of movies, the warmth of companionship and the happy sound of laughter.

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The images of one's mind are like snapshots of a camera. As such, this blog is like my album, a place where I store and show the pictures worth keeping. This is my take on the word through my lens and into the aperture of my mind, imprinted on the film of my mind. I wash the negatives and put out my mind snaps. :-)